Day 58 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, July 23rd 2014

Mom woke up this morning extremely nauseous and sick.  She was scheduled for radiation at 9:25 a.m., but was unable to complete today's treatment due to her constant vomiting.  We now have ten more radiation treatments to go and Dr. Norleena Gullett really wants to do what ever it takes to get mom through these last treatments.  Zofran was administered through her port to stop the nausea.

During the weekly Radiation Oncology follow-up with Dr. Gullett and Kathy McLaine, Dr. Gullett asked dad to go to the car and bring in mom's bag with all of her medications and supplements.  Magic Mouthwash needs to be used 3 times a day again.  Aquaphore is to be used on her neck after radiation treatments and before going to bed.  Silvadene is not needed while there are no open wounds or a  threat of infection.  Dr. Gullett discontinued 10 supplements and medications.

Although, Gullett believes that all of the supplements that she is currently taking are great for her overall health, since mom is experiencing nausea, it's best to eliminate some things.

During the Nurse Assessment in the clinic with mom's nurse Dee, mom was weighed as usual and mom has lost another pound, now she is at 106.  After mom's appointment with Georgianna to go over any changes, it was time to met with Letitia Price, Nurse Practitioner, to review mom's blood work.  Everything was good except her potassium is elevated.  Her blood levels were off a bit probably from vomiting so much this morning.  Letitia ordered an hour of fluids to see how mom's blood work looks tomorrow.  Unfortunately, infusion couldn't fit her in until 5:00 p.m. and mom said not today.   The infusion has been rescheduled for tomorrow during her appointment for Chemotherapy at 10:00 a.m..

Day 57 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, July 22nd 2014

Yesterday, mom said she didn't feel well and decided not to go for her appointments at CTCA.  The schedule for yesterday was a full load including her next Chemotherapy Treatment and now the entire schedule has to be reworked.

Dad and I spoke with Dr. Gullett, mom's Radiologist, in the lobby about mom's progress.  Dr. Gullett and Kathy McLaine are two of the nicest people I have ever met.  She and Kathy corrected the insurance issues regarding mom's Fentanyl patches so she can start back using the long lasting Duragesic. She is to be on 37.5 micrograms of Fentanly now.  Her attitude is a lot better and she is less irritable when she has the patches.  

You can really tell she desperately wants to eat because she continues to try every time we go out or eat at the cafeteria.  Her tongue is still raw from the treatments and nothing is really providing relief at this point in the process.  We have our weekly meeting with Dr. Gullett and her team tomorrow as well as her nurse assessment and blood draw so hopefully everything continues to go well.  Graduation from Radiation is just a couple of weeks away!

Day 56 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, July 18th 2014

ZEN LANDSCAPE III

Today was our 56th day at CTCA for another radiation treatment and mom is still handling the treatments well with the new mask.  We have nine more treatments to go before graduation day!

Kelli Dani Fitzpatrick and Studio El

There really isn't much else to report from today.  We will be back Monday for a full day's schedule including Chemotherapy and the fifth of nine more radiation treatments.

Day 55 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, July 17th 2014

Today mom was only schedule for a radiation treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  We are counting down the treatments.  Two treatments down and ten more to go!

We can't wait until mom has been added to the tree!

On our way home we stopped to have lunch at Speedi-Pig Barbecue.  It was mom's choice but unfortunately due to her tongue being so effected by Chemotherapy, mom was unable to eat.  Gabie and the folks had been there before but Kayleigh and I hadn't.  We had piglets and stew and also sampled some amazing smoked chicken wings.  The Brunswick Stew almost reminded me of the stew at the old Harold's Barbecue on McDonough Street in Atlanta.

Day 49 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, July 8th 2014

Dad, Kayleigh and I headed up to Cancer Treatment Centers of America a little early today in order to be there when mom meets with Radiation Oncology.  The Hospital Doctor came in and said mom's white blood cell counts and platelets are coming up.  Ms. Summer Baptist came in after the doctor and said that she and Stephanie from Wound Care spoke and they decided the Medihoney and DermaQOL are the best for her mouth.  

At 11:00 a.m. the nurse from Radiology came to get us to meet with Dr. Gullett.  Dr. Gullett peeled mom's lips apart and examined her mouth and said it looks like everything is healing great.  Kathy McLaine and Dr. Gullett cleaned all of the dead skin off of mom's neck.  Dr. Gullett stated mom only had nine more radiation treatments left.  Now that she has been without radiation over a week, they need to get the simulation complete today for the new mask.  To get the mask prepared and everything set up will take a week which will give mom another week of healing.  When radiation is on hold, the cancer becomes more aggressively.  Our outcome is still projected the same as it was, mom will just have a little longer to go before she is cured.  Dr. Gullett stated that originally we were going for a cure and we will not change the plan other than now we will have twelve radiation treatments left on our schedule.  We are completely fine with adding more treatments to the plan, especially now that mom will have a mask that will keep her lips away from the radiation.

Out with the old
and in with the new.

Mom came back from the simulation with her old mask and the nurse connected the feeding machine and all of her fluids.  Toni and Kayleigh came up to CTCA this afternoon and Dad and I headed home.  Mom's feet and left elbow have started to swell but she is improving in so many ways.  

We are hopeful she will be coming home soon!

Day 44 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, July 3rd 2014

Front entrance bouquet for Independence Day

Today is the second morning for mom to wake up at CTCA. We all met up early this morning and mom seemed to be doing about the same.  Her mouth looked a lot better from the nurses applying Medihoney.  Medihoney is an amazing thing!  Today she is talking a little better and has actually gained 10 pounds over the past week.  As she rested on and off, we went shopping for her some clean linens and had lunch.  She has slept more today than she has since she was admitted.  She has woke up once to a serious nose bleed where the nurses had to come in and assist.  Later on she woke up with bleeding from the mouth again and coughing really bad . Today she says she feels awful and seems to be more lethargic.  Mom hasn't had any more pain medication since last night.  Her team added an antibiotic due to her white blood cell counts being so low it is believed that she is possibly fighting an infection.  Mom has also been plugged into the feeding pump which continuously feeds her Isosource throughout the day. Kayleigh and I stayed the night with her.

We went to the Art Expressions class down stairs and painted an American Flag for MeeMaw and we also made Patriotic Mason Jar candle holders and lanterns later that evening.  After we were settled in, around midnight mom's nurse woke me up to put on a mask.  She started to explain to me that as of right now mom is going to be under isolation due to her white blood cell counts dropping.  As she told me this I started to hurt and worry if I was doing mom any harm by staying with her.  The nurse assured me that Kayleigh and I were fine next to her, that we would just have to wear a mask and gloves if we were going to be around her.  Any visitors needed to wear the same until her blood counts came back up.  Mom seemed to sleep a little more than the night before.

Day 42 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, July 1st 2014

This morning on our way to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, mom's mouth and lips looked worse than they ever have.  They are continuously bleeding and she said she had another nose bleed this morning also.

First thing on mom's schedule was to have blood drawn and then to see Dr. Gullett at 10:00 a.m. When Dr. Gullett saw mom and us in the hallway, she took us straight into her office and started to look at mom and questioning how long she had been bleeding.  It was a bit alarming to meet with Dr. Gullett in her office instead of an exam room, we knew something major was about to happen.  You could see the concern in her as soon as she started talking to mom.  She immediately said she was going to admit mom into the hospital and explained why she thought this was the best way for her.  She said the chemotherapy is causing her red blood counts to drop to a low level which makes mom's body unable to form clots.  With the radiation attacking the tumors through her lips, she will continue to bleed.

Dr. Gullett wanted mom to be monitored around the clock to get her blood counts back up and to be able to form clots to stop the bleeding before we went forward with anymore chemotherapy or radiation.  Dr. Gullett said that mom has fought too hard and long and this was just another step in our journey.  We were aware things would get a lot worse before they would get better as almost everything in life.  As she said the words "admit you", you could see it in mom's face she was not only scared but also very upset.  We assured mom that she would never be alone.  It wasn't long before mom was put in a wheel chair and brought to her room.  The rooms here are more like huge hotel rooms and do not feel like a hospital room at all.  They ordered fluid therapy and pain management.  At around 3:30 pm, mom's temperature was taken and had a fever again of 101.9.  The nurse placed the leg sleeves on mom to prevent blood clots and started the Fentanyl patches for pain.  I spent the night with mom and she didn't sleep very much!

The Cross is the Charm of the Day

Day 41 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 27th 2014

Mom woke up at 3:00 this morning with a massive nose bleed.  We arrived at Cancer Treatment Centers of America early for mom's 11:50 am radiation treatment appointment to inform Dr. Gullett about the nose bleed.  Mom's mouth is in bad shape too!  Her mouth is swollen and covered in blisters and scabs.  Dr. Gullett canceled radiation for today and Monday to give mom a much needed break.  We have to meet with her team Tuesday morning at 10:00 am before radiation for mom's weekly check up.

We had over an hour wait for mom's blood transfusion appointment in Quality of Life Infusion so we decided to head out for a little while.  Once we arrived back for her appointment, her temperature was 99.3, BP 122/60.  After mom took the Tylenol her temperature went up to 101.3, and then 102.8.  The nurse held the blood transfusion due to the fever again and gave mom another dose of Tylenol.  If mom has a fever of 100.5, or higher the transfusion cannot be performed due to the risk of infection.  The nurse spoke to mom's doctor and they ordered a chest x-ray and blood cultures.  At 5:00 pm, mom's temperature came down and they started the first of two units of blood.  

Once mom was all set up in infusion, dad and I headed home and Toni came for the second half.  The second unit of blood finished around 8:30 pm and the nurse came in and said that mom's Chest X-Ray came back normal and since her temperature hadn't spiked she could go home.  Toni got her home and into bed.

The Charm of the Day is Ruby Red

Day 40 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 26th 2014

Today Kayleigh and I took mom to Cancer Treatment Centers of America to have radiation prep and treatment.  Her mouth was extremely sore and her lips are scabbed up pretty badly.  Right before we arrived, mom took the Hydrocodone and Lidocaine along with the lolly pop to try and numb her mouth and throat before the treatment.  Next on the schedule was wound consultation.  Stephanie reviewed mom's neck and chest area to see how the radiation is burning her skin.  Mom is using Silvadene immediately following each radiation treatment and each night before bedtime.



Stephanie said she was looking pretty good other than her lips.  Mom has been using Aquaphor on her lips to help heal from radiation treatments.  Stephanie added DermaQOL to be used on her lips too.

We had over an hour wait until mom's 2:00 p.m. appointment for the Blood Transfusion in Quality of Life so we decided to venture out and go for a ride to see the City Square of Newnan.

Once we had lunch back at the cafeteria we headed up to Quality of Life.  Mom's blood pressure was 98/55 but unfortunately she had a fever of 101.4 degrees so the blood transfusion couldn't begin.  A temperature of 100.5 or higher can lead to an infection.  A urine sample and blood cultures were ordered to try and find out where the fever is coming from and there was no sign of a urinary tract infection or anything.  She is not feel well due to her hemoglobin being so low.  The Blood Transfusion was rescheduled for 1:00 p.m., tomorrow and we were released from infusion at 4:00 p.m..

The Charm of the Day

A Silver and Amethyst Crown

Day 36 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 20th 2014

Today was a light day for mom.  The only appointment on today's schedule at CTCA was radiation prep and treatment.  

Everything went well with the today's treatment and we found out we do not have to come back this weekend for a Neupogen shot!  Two days off for mom will do her some good.

The Charm of the Day

Blue Hearts

Day 35 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 19th 2014

Mom woke up this morning extremely dizzy and light headed.  Dad called Dr. Gullett's office to find out what to do.  Mom said she didn't think she would be able to make the ride to Cancer Treatment Centers of America today.  Kathy McLaine, mom's Radiology Care Manager, told dad to take the patch off and bring her in.  Yesterday, Dr. Gullet upped the dosage of the Fentanyl patch to 50 and it's too much for her.  They changed the dosage from 50 to 37.5 and mom went in for radiation prep and treatment.

The Charm of the Day

A Crown of Red Hearts 

Day 28 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 12th 2014

First on our schedule today at CTCA was mom's radiation prep and treatment.  We applied her Fentanyl patch this morning before heading to the center as directed.  Radiology was unable to get her into her mask due to the pain in her mouth and throat even though mom took Hydrocodone and Lidocaine.  Dr. Gullett and our Care Manager Kathy McLaine met with us to discuss going forward with radiation and some changes to be made to the mask.  Debbie, one of the Physicist is going to reconfigure mom's mask to keep it from cutting into her chin.  Radiation has been reschedule for tomorrow morning at 8:30.  Mom was also prescribed some Lolly Pops that mom is to start sucking on for the pain.  She is to continue with the hydrocodone and lydacain along with the Magic Mouthwash and salt water rinses.

Acupuncture was schedule for 10:30 for a duration of 45 minutes with Dr. Harris Frank, Doctor of Medical Qigong.  He asked mom again if she was sure she wanted to have acupuncture since she refused it earlier in the week.  Dr. Frank explained to mom the benefits of acupuncture and the fact that it is not required but it is an option.  She agreed to have it done in hopes that it will help with her pain.  Dr. Frank placed the acupuncture needles on her arms and legs as well as her forehead and chin.  He asked if the pain was getting any better and she said she could feel some relief.  He asked if I wanted to stay while mom went through the relaxation period and I decided to step out so mom could experience it in full.  Dr. Frank turned off the lights, started some very relaxing music and mom went into relaxation mode!

"What I love about Cancer Treatment Centers of America is that here you have a model of care where the entire team comes together to create a treatment plan for the benefit of the patient, and that includes the wealth of resources Chinese medicine has to offer."
                                                                              - Harris Frank, LAc, Dipl OM, DMQ

The Charm of the Day is Peace!

Day 2 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, May 1st 2014

The first appointment of the day was scheduled with Quality Of Life, which in other words means Urgent Care.  Quality of Life is a clinic in the treatment facility that you can go to when you are in need of any medical care and also where they get you set up and comfortable to have Chemotherapy.

The Tree of Survivors

Today, we met with Dr. John Schuler.  Dr. Schuler is the Medical Doctor that mom can go to for any complications from the cancer journey as well as any complications discovered, period. Dr. Schuler reviewed mom's blood work and everything is on the right track . There was nothing discovered out of the ordinary. Thank God!  After the appointment with Quality Of Life, we were scheduled to meet with the Mind and Body Team . The Mind and Body Team is full of very educated counselors that strongly believe that when you feel better, both physically and emotionally, you heal better.  As we were speaking with our counselor, Mikael Uhl, he assured us he is there for all of us, as is her entire care team. This was the first time I have EVER heard my mom say the words "I'm scared". At that very moment tears as a family began to fall and we grabbed each other's hands and prayed together. We wrapped the day up with going to Pastoral Care as scheduled.  We met with Rev. Stephen Jackson and prayed even more.  We prayed for healing and a positive outcome with the treatments we were about to endure.

Moon Beam

The Charm of the Day is dark black with bright blue specks that is known as Moon Beam. This charm represents all of us being scared but with the hope that has been restored to our family through Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we now have the encouragement that we never had before. Another wonderful day, all in all.

We may not be where we need to be YET, but we are okay and we are on our way!

The Pond outside of the Cafeteria